Fur stretcher



Oct. 18, 1949. H, LElGHTON 2,485,242

FUR STRETCHER File d Aug. 20, 1946 I n velltor HARVEY TH so LEIGHTON- Patented Oct. 18, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FUR STRETCHER Harvey Theo. Leighton. Big Bend, Wis. Application August 20, 1946, Serial No. 691,701

This invention relates to new and useful im-( provements and structural refinements in fur stretchers, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herein described, such as may be conveniently and effectively employed for stretching furs, so as to maintain the same in the required shape during drying. I

A further object of the invention is to provid a fur stretcher which will readily accommodate furs of various sizes and types.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stretcher in which the furs may be easily and conveniently applied or removed.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a fur stretcher which is simple in construction and operation and which will not easily become damaged.

With the above more important objects in view, and such other objects as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a plan view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail of the same,,

partially broken away to reveal its construction.

Figure 3 is a further fragmentary detail thereof.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the detents to which the clamping means are attached.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of an alternative embodiment of clampin means, such as may be used in the invention, and

Figure 6 is an end view of an eccentric roller used in the subject shown in Figure 5.

Like characters of reference are used to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a fur stretcher designated generally by the reference character I0, the same embodying in its construction a pair of spaced parallel side bars I I, preferably formed from resilient material and curved inwardly at one end thereof as indicated at l2.

The curved extremities of the bars II are pivotally connected as at l3 to a pair of wings M, the latter being formed integrally with a cap [5 which is also provided with a longitudinal bore or passage l6.

A rod l1, screw threaded at one end thereof as at I8, is disposed intermediately of the bars I I, the threaded portion of the rod slidably extending through the bore I6 as will be clearly underof the brackets 20, the remaining ends of the arms 2i being pivoted as at 23 to further brackets 24 provided on the side bars II. It will be noted that the brackets 20, 24 are formed with what may be referred to as stop lugs 25, these being disposed adjacent the relatively opposite sides of the respective arms 2i, as is best shown in Figure When the invention is placed in use, the stretcher may be collapsed by simply loosening the wing nut IS on the threaded portion l8 to allow the cap Hi to slide along the rod IT, to a 'position indicated by the phantom lines 26. During this action, the inherent resiliency of the bars I will cause the same to assume a substantially straight position as indicated at 21 and the pivoted arms 2| will allow the stretcher to assume the collapsed position, substantially as shown in the drawings.

The fur may now be positioned upon the stretcher and the stretcher may then be expanded by simply tightening the nut l9 and thus reversing the collapsing operation above explained. It will me noted that in this manner the fur will be conveniently and effectively stretched so as to maintain the required shape during drying and furs of various sizes may, of course, be accommodated upon the stretcher by simply governing the extent to which the stretcher is expanded.

Means are provided for clamping loose extremities of the fur to the stretcher, that is, loose portions of the fur, such as the legs, the tail, and the free edges of the abdomen.

Means for clamping the legs and the abdominal edges assume the form of toothed spring clips 28 each secured at one end of a suitable chain 29. The free end portions of the side bars H are equipped with detents 30, these simply assuming the form of angulated plates, configurated substantially as shown and secured to the side bars by welding, or in other convenient manner. Each of the plates is formed with a retaining slot 3| with which the chain 29 may be engaged. It will be apparent that in this manner, the clips 28 may be attached to the fur and after the associated chains 29 have been stretched to provide the required tension, the chains may be adjustably engaged with the detents 30, more specifically with the slots 3| of the detents, as will be clearly understood.

Means for clamping the tail of the fur consists of a further chain 32 engageable with a detent 33, the latter being, similar to, the, ai rementioned detents 3i] and being provided at the plain end of the rod [1. A pair of links 34, configurated substantially as shown, are pivotally secured at one end thereof to the free end of the chain 32, as indicated at 35. For this purpose the ends of the links may be formedwith suitable eyes, or the like, through which the end link of the chain may freely pass. The links 34. extend in a mutually divergent relationship and, the remaining ends thereof are inwardly angulated and carry a pair of toothed spring clips 36. clips are adapted for attachment to the opposite sidesof' the fur tail and it will be noted that in this manner, the tail may be stretched as required while the pivoted connection (35) will efiectively equalize the links, as it were, so that uniform tension is applied to both sides of the tail.

Referring now to the accompanying Figures 5 and 6, the same illustrate a modified embodiment of the tail clamping means already described. This includes a length of chain 31 separated into two branches 38 which are attached to the opposite ends of a U-shaped bracket 39. This bracket is formed with a pair of arcuate slots 40 to receive trunnion-like pins, 4t provided on a roller 42. It will be noted that the pins 4|. are eccentrically disposed at the ends of the roller and a portion of the lateral surface of the roller is formed with a plurality of longitudinallyextending teeth. 43. The roller is also equipped with a finger piece 44, which is secured thereto by suitable rivets, or the like, 45.

When this embodiment of the clamping device is, placed in use, the tailof the fur is inserted between the toothed portion of the roller 42. and the bracket 39. Thereupon, by puliing the chain 31, the arcuate slots 40; coacting with the eccentrically disposed pins 4| will cause the roller,

more specifically, the teeth 43 of the roller togrip.

These d It should be also enpnmed that the stop lugs 25 engaging the arms 2 I, will effectively prevent the stretcher from collapsing by restricting the movement of the arms to their fully out-stretched position. i

It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is considered unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

A fur stretcher comprising a pair of spaced parallel side bars. formed from resilient material and curved inwardly at. one end thereof, a cap pivotally connected to they curved ends of said bars, a rod screw-threaded at one end thereof and disposed intermediately of said bars, the threaded portion of said rod extending slidably through said cap, an adjusting nut positioned on said threaded portion and bearing agamst. said cap, a air of toggle arms, one. end, of. each. of. said arms being. pivotally connected to one of said bars, the remaining ends. of. said arms. being piv-' oted to said rod, said bars, and said rod. bein formed with stop. lugs engageable with said. arms, a detent provided adjacent. the remaining end. of said rod, a length, of chain adjustably engageable with said detent, a. pair of links pivotally connected to. one end of. said chain. and atoothed spring clip provided at the free end of each. of saiddinks;

HARVEY THEQ. LEIGH'IYOH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

STATES PATENTS Number" Name Date 006,578 McLean Oct. 24', 1911 1,483,822 Marker Feb. 12; 1924 1,726,254 Allen et a1. Aug. 2'7, 1929 1,866,709 Horsting' July 12, 1932 22473738 Welty July'- I, 1941 

